CARBONDALE, Ill.-- The Southern Illinois University softball team is set to host the Saluki Invitational Saturday and Sunday at Charlotte West Stadium. The Salukis welcome Belmont, Eastern Kentucky, Illinois-Chicago and Wisconsin to the round robin tournament.

WHAT’S ON DECK Southern Illinois will host the Saluki Invitational on Saturday and Sunday welcoming Belmont, Eastern Kentucky, UIC and Wisconsin. This is the second consecutive weekend SIU has hosted a tournament. Last weekend the Salukis hosted the Coach B Classic.

RECAPPING LAST WEEK The Salukis had a successful opening home stand topping Butler 9-0 on Sunday followed by a 12-4 victory over Northern Illinois. The Salukis (9-8), who tallied 21 runs and hit six home runs combined in two games at the weather-shortened Coach B Classic.

CHARLOTTE WEST STADIUM Charlotte West Stadium is in its tenth year of existence as the home of Saluki Softball. Since its opening on March 1, 2003, the Salukis have sported an .757 winning percentage in their home facility. The stadium is named for Dr. Charlotte West, who retired as SIU’s associate athletics director in 1998, and served the University for 42 years as a faculty member, coach and administrator.

BLAYLOCK NEARS 500 WINS Kerri Blaylock returns to the helm of Saluki Softball in 2013 nearing her 500th career win. Blaylock enters her 14th season as the team’s head coach and her 23rd overall year with the program boasting a career record of 497-232.

HOME SWEET HOME RUN During the first 15 games of the season the Salukis only recorded four home runs. Last weekend, SIU made its home debut tallying six home runs in just two games. Southern knocked in three home runs in each of their two games last weekend to help SIU run-rule Butler and Northern Illinois.

HEAVY HITTER Meredith Wilson has been a threat at the plate this season. The sophomore has unloaded two grand slams and one home run during the Salukis 17-game slate. Eight of Wilson’s 11 RBI’s have been from her grand slams against Fordham and Butler.

VADEBONCOUER AT THE DISH Allie VadeBoncouer was a force at the plate last season drawing 28 free bases on hit-by-pitches to lead the nation. Currently the junior catcher totals 11 hit-by-pitches during the Salukis 17 games.

SCOUTING BELMONT The Bruins enter the weekend with a record of 6-7 and are in the midst of a four game losing streak. Last season Belmont was the SWAC’s conference runner up finishing the conference season 12-4. Kat Hollingsworth is leading the Bruins offensively with a .422 batting average compiling 19 hits and 11 RBI’s. Kimberly Johnson follows closely holding a .417 batting average. SIU trails Belmont 0-1 in their all-time meetings.

SCOUTING EASTERN KENTUCKY The Salukis will take on the 9-5 Colonels in the nightcap on Saturday. Eastern Kentucky struggled last weekend at the Under Armour Classic in Clearwater, Fla. finishing the weekend 2-3. Eastern Kentucky boasts several players with double digit hits this season. Raquel Howes leads the Colonels with 17 hits and 12 RBI’s. Leanna Pittsenbarger is the ace in the circle for EKU holding a 6-3 record and a 1.95 ERA. This will be the first meeting between SIU and EKU.

SCOUTING UIC The Flames opened their 2013 season with 10-straight losses before earning their first victory on March 1 against Kent State. UIC now holds a record of 3-12. UIC was chosen to finish second in the Horizon League in the pre-season coaches poll. The Salukis lead their all-time series with UIC 10-1.

SCOUTING WISCONSIN The Badgers enter the Invitational with a 14-3 record, which is the best start in program histroy. UW’s 12-3 record after 15 games was a program best, while it became the fastest team in school history to reach 10 wins- accomplishing that in 11 games. Last weekend, UW knocked off 16th ranked Stanford, topping the Cardinals 4-0. Wisconsin and SIU have each recorded a win holding the all-time series at 1-1.

NEXT TIME OUT Southern Illinois will hit the road for Spring Break traveling to Clarksville, Tenn. for a game at Austin Peay University on Tuesday, March 12 at 1 p.m. The following day, Wednesday, March 13, SIU will play at the University of Kentucky. The Wildcats and Salukis will square off at 3 p.m.